"The idea that the Holy See is managing directly all these activities of the church is not well-taken," he said. "Supervision of clergy is vested directly with the local bishops, and nowhere else."

True. But who’s in charge of supervising the bishops?

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Last time I checked it was the Holy Father acting in "Persona Christi". I guess our bishops need to be reminded.

Posted by: -
Mar. 04, 2005 9:59 AM ET USA

The job of the Bishop is to teach, govern, and sanctify. This includes the Bishop of Rome. He has done a lot of teaching (but I don't know who is listening), and sanctifying. He, however, has done almost no governing especially of Bishops nor the papaly sanctioned religious orders, like the Jesuits and the Dominicans. When the only rules a priest can't break without disciplinary action is to request to say the Tridentine Mass or preach against sodomy or contraception, the Church has a problem.

Posted by: -
Mar. 04, 2005 9:53 AM ET USA

Prior to Vatican II the Pope had a lot to say to Bishops. But when John XXIII redefined compassion to be a rope of infinite elasticity, Bishops do almost anything they please except direct public heresy while they are in office. And the current Pope, in the last half of his term at least, has paid a lot more attention to whom he appoints, but has not (whether because of will, laziness, or impossibility) supervised any of them. Look at the lies he accepts about the success of the Novus Ordo!